Annual Report 2011

About Us
Special Olympics Alberta offers sports programs in more than 100 communities around the province for Albertans with an intellectual disability. Since Special Olympics Alberta was founded in 1980, we have grown from an organization with only a few dozen athletes, to one in which approximately 3,000 athletes compete in 15 official sports and three soon-tobe official sports: basketball, bocce, and golf. There are more than 1,200 coaches and volunteers working year-round giving people with an intellectual disability the opportunity to realize their full athletic potential. Recreational and competitive sport training takes place daily, and competitions take place at the local, provincial, national, and even international levels at regular intervals. Special Olympics Alberta is an accredited chapter of Special Olympics Canada.

Our Mission:
Special Olympics is committed to enriching the lives of Albertans with an intellectual disability through sport.

Our Vision:
Special Olympics Alberta will provide individuals with an intellectual disability, of all ages and abilities, opportunity to realize their full athletic potential, with appropriate training, coaching and competitions, to develop life skills, a healthy body and self-esteem.

If you are a fan of courage, if you respect determination, if you cant help but share in the joy of victory, then you are already a fan of Special Olympics. Why not make it official? Volunteer. Donate. Participate.

Annual Report 2011

Message from the President and CEO

Kirk De Fazio President and CEO

My tenure began with an overwhelming and positive experience at the Special Olympics World Summer games in Athens, Greece. The global movement of athletes with an intellectual disability is stronger than it has ever been. I have travelled throughout Alberta this summer, and witnessed first-hand what Eunice Kennedy Shriver hoped for in creating Special Olympics. One can easily see that Special Olympics athletes through sport, become empowered individuals! Sporting events for athletes with an intellectual disability help to change attitudes regarding respect and inclusion. A positive outcome after every sporting event with all of the volunteers and participants, is witnessing how our communities come together and we ultimately build better relationships. In February 2012, Alberta is proud to welcome distinguished athletes from all across Canada to share the life-changing experience of competing in the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in St. Albert, Alberta, from February 28th to March 3rd.

It is a privilege to be the new President & CEO of Special Olympics Alberta.

Annual Report 2011

Message from the Board of Directors Chair

Karen Saunders Board of Directors Chair

The ultimate vision of Special Olympics Alberta is to allow athletes to reach their full athletic potential. The 2010-2011 year truly reflected how all of us involved in Special Olympics throughout Alberta worked together to help our athletes achieve their goals. Athletes, coaches, and volunteers celebrated excellence throughout the Provincial Games in February. Our athletes challenged themselves and a group of 80 will proudly represent Alberta in February at the national games. We also celebrated the eight athletes from Alberta who were selected for Team Canada. They competed in 10-pin bowling, powerlifting, swimming and track and field. They did our country and our province proud as all eight of Albertas athletes brought back medals! We look forward this year to some exciting events; the International LETR conference in November will mark the first time this event has been held outside of the United States being in Calgary. Then we welcome Canada to our showcase event the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in February. None of this would be possible without the continued support of our sponsors, and all our volunteers.

Thank you. Your support means our athletes continue to grow, improve, and ultimately win at life.

Annual Report 2011

Report Card
This year... Youth Development Coordinator is getting school based programming off the ground. A focused approach is making a difference. Getting results. Seeing growth. 2,764 athletes and 1,200 volunteers participated in 17 sports provided by 29 affiliates and community programs around the province. Athletes had an opportunity to participate in 18 competitions representing 14 official sports in 11 different affiliates across the province. It was a busy year for Provincial competition starting off with Team AB 2010 attending the 2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games in London, Ontario, then the 2011 Provincial Winter Games in Devon EdmontonLeduc, and the 2011 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens, Greece. Special Olympics athletes also competed at the 2010 Alberta Summer Games in Peace River, the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Halifax and at the 2011 Speedo Alberta Senior Championships in Medicine Hat. Special Olympics Alberta supported 12 coaches through the High Performance Coach Mentor program and trained 40 new coaches. The first peer elected Athlete Leadership Committee empowers athletes with development of the Athletes Rights and Responsibilities. Special Olympics Alberta recognizes the value of our youth and added a Youth Representative on the SOA Board of Directors and initiated the development of a Youth Advisory Council. Our volunteers have access to better training and orientation through the Toyota Volunteer Training Days website. A greater voice is heard as our first individual members voted at the Annual General Meeting. Our website had record number of visits and now includes social media links, and sharing capabilities. Special Olympics Alberta invested $849,671 in Programs, including coach training, Team AB and Provincial Games as well as $358,265 in Affiliate Development, including revenue sharing, grants and volunteer recognition.

Annual Report 2011

Special Olympics Award Winners

Leonka Kaluha Female Athlete of the Year
This Calgary athlete is dedicated to her sports which include bowling, fitness, floor hockey and golf. She always gives 100% at practices and competitions. Leonka has an outstanding attitude, is always encouraging and supporting her teammates, and is an excellent role model for sportsmanship. She has overcome many obstacles and through her commitment to fitness and a healthy lifestyle she has reached many personal goals and has become more successful in all of her sports. Leonkas coaches have commented many times regarding her positive attitude and increased self-confidence. She has amazed everyone around her. Leonka is not only a leader in her sports but is a great ambassador for the Special Olympics organization. She spends tireless hours telling her story to others and raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics at various events such as motionball, Safeway fundraisers and LETR events. She inspires all through her dedication, commitment and drive to personally succeed.

Steve Rabeeh Male Athlete of the Year

This Edmonton athlete has been participating with Special Olympics for 15 years in speed skating, athletics, and softball. He has showcased his talent on the local, provincial, national, and international stages. Steve shows true commitment, courage and dedication to Special Olympics. Even when sick, he would appear on ice, with his skates laced up and ask the question what do we do next? His diligence on ice and his focused work ethic is evident in every practice. Steve is a great speed skater and he is constantly focused on beating his personal best. He helps keep other skaters motivated on the ice, whether it is practice or competition. His development has compelled his peers to do as well as him when they practice. Regardless of the setting, situation, or what is on the line, Steve can always be counted on to provide a smile and has encouraging words for his team mates and for competitors.

Calgary Storm Team of the Year Floor Hockey

Over the course of the year this team not only grew as individuals they also came together as a unit. They were exceptional representatives for Special Olympics Calgary at the 2011 Special Olympics Alberta Winter Games. The Calgary Storm maintains a never quit attitude and they always have smiles on their faces. It was very obvious during the provincial games that this team was especially focused on their game play and listened intently to the direction given to them by their coaches. Each one of them showed remarkable sportsmanship by encouraging each other to try as hard as they possibly could. Despite only winning one out of their four games on the first day of the Provincials, the Calgary Storm maintained their focus and played hard in order to reach their goal of winning a medal.

Annual Report 2011

Special Olympics Award Winners

Jodi Flanagan Volunteer of the Year
Jodi started with Special Olympics twenty years ago when she signed up to be a figure skating coach with Special Olympics Calgary. Since her humble beginnings she has taken on numerous positions within the organization at the local, provincial and national level along the way developing a reputation as a strong leader and dedicated ambassador for sport. She currently serves as the Master Learning Facilitator for SOA NCCP coaching program and served as Chef de Mission for the 2010 Team Alberta. Jodi excelled as Chef through ups and downs, changes, and technical difficulties that could have meant disaster for the team if it were not for her leadership. Through a challenging year she was able to motivate and bring together 160 team members from seven different sports that are made up of athletes across the province.

Neil Garbutt Male Coach of the Year

When you talk about 5 Pin Bowling in Red Deer, Neil Garbutts name is sure to come up. As the head coach of the 5 Pin Bowling program, he always takes the time to teach each of the needed skills and proper technique to his athletes. He makes sure to involve other coaches and parents at the programs by scheduling all tasks and assigning them to people who want to help out. Despite the many challenges the athletes have, Neil keeps their enthusiasm and excitement up which makes the athletes ready to play and to succeed. The athletes are always up for a challenge and look forward to travelling in competitions within Alberta. Neils tireless effort leads to the success of the programs in which he is involved. Along with his achievements he has a long list of athletes and volunteers he has influenced over the many years he has been with Special Olympics.

Arlene McTeer Female Coach of the Year

The question was simple enough. Did she know how to keep score? Arlene McTeer first became involved with Special Olympics back in the mid-1980s through her son, Ron, who is a registered athlete. Since then, she has also worked with the clubs floor hockey program for 18 years. She is very proud that after a gold-medal finish at the 2011 Provincial Winter Games, the Red Deer Rockets will go on to represent Alberta at the 2012 Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in St. Albert, Alberta. During the rest of the year, Arlene also serves as an administrator with the clubs softball program, and is also credited with launching the clubs ten-pin bowling program in 1995. She has been involved in almost every other aspect of the clubs operations, from fundraising to special events to promotions, and over the years, has cross-stitched more than 2,000 Canadian flag pins for those athletes who go on to represent our country at world games.

Annual Report 2011

Special Olympics Award Winners

Motor Dealers Association of Alberta Community Leadership Award Olds and District
Despite their smaller numbers, the Affiliate Management Committee (AMC) of Olds has spearheaded Special Olympics awareness and the community of Olds has embraced them. Olds continues to grow not only in athletes, but also in sports offered and events hosted. This year, with the assistance of a local pro, they began offering golf to their list of activities, and they hosted events in both bowling (5 pin) and floor hockey. To ensure their athletes have every opportunity they send them to Calgary for swimming and Drumheller for alpine. They maintain strong relationships with all affiliates in their region as well as provincial office. In order to create sports opportunities for their athletes the Affiliate tirelessly puts in their own time to work with Staples to create fundraising events. They have built a strong foundation within their community and endeavour to help it grow.

Murray Koch Youth Development Award West Central

West Central has demonstrated growth in the young athlete age category (21 and under). They have two schools with strong special needs programs in Spruce Grove and they have done an excellent job in getting the word out to potential young athletes. They have their strong student athlete ambassadors that talk to other people about their experiences. They have been fortunate to have a sports columnist who supports their athletes accomplishments with articles that create awareness. Overall there is a fantastic joint effort among all of their coaches and volunteers to spread the word and creating a welcoming environment for youth.

LETR Community Spirit Award Lethbridge

The entire law enforcement community in Lethbridge and area including the Lethbridge Regional Police Service, RCMP, Alberta Sheriffs, and the Blood Tribe Police has supported Special Olympics whenever possible for years. These two groups have worked closely together to have every event and fundraiser extremely effective. LETR has hosted numerous fundraising events in Lethbridge, and without any reluctance the Lethbridge Special Olympics office has solicited volunteers and athletes in order to help out wherever needed. Because of this amazing relationship that has been fostered and the dedication of Special Olympics Lethbridge, every initiative has been a resounding success.

Annual Report 2011

Financial Information
Where Does Your Money Go? Actual 2010/2011
Total Expenses $1,582,561

Sources of Funding Actual 2010/2011

Total Revenue $ 1,211,206

Afliate Development $358,265 | 23% Resource Development $238,987 | 15%

Event Revenues $501,108 | 41%

Program Revenue $3,780 | 1% Government Funding $121,138 | 10% General Revenues $254,516 | 21%

Program Expense: $849,671 | 54%

Operations $116,671 | 7% Communications $18,967 | 1% Program Expense Afliate Development Resource Development Operations Communications National Sponsorship $330,664 | 27%

Event Revenues National Sponsorship General Revenues Government Funding Program Revenue

*Financial statements available upon request

Annual Report 2011

Donors
All Systems Contracting Calgary Inc. All-Tra Battery Anonymous Donors Associated Canadian Travelers Atco Gas Baxter, R. BMO Charitable Foundation Braun, S. Braund, R. Burden, C. & K. Burden, K. & M. Calgary Old Time Hockey Players Association Calgary Police Association Calgary Rotary Challenger Park Calgary Winter Club Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Cardel Homes Cash Casino Cawthorne, A. Cenovus Energy Inc. Cenovus Foundation Christopher Thomas Professional Corp. CIBC Childrens Foundation Clauson Cold & Cooler Ltd. Coakwell, T. Cougar Fuels LTD. Crescent Lodge No. 81 I.O.O.F. Crude Dudes Hockey Team Devon Canada Corporation Down Syndrome Research Foundation Eaglequest Golf Centres Elbow River Casino Ltd. Elks Lodge #85 Encana Cares Foundation Encana Corporation Energy Fore Friends Golf Classic Equinox Engineering Ltd. Foothills Academy Gienow Windows and Doors Global TV Edmonton Goodman Private Wealth Management Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Great Plains Exploration Inc. Gregg Distributors Haywood Securities Hesje, M. & S. Images Unlimited Studio Imperial Oil Foundation J2 Excavating Ltd. Jarislowsky Fraser Ltd. Johnson Inc. The Keg Steakhouse and Bar Keyera Energy Management Ltd. Kiwanis Calgary Metro Knights of Columbus AB/NWT Knights of Columbus Supreme Council Landmark Homes Lets Bowl Lexus of Calgary Lululemon Athletica Canada Inc. Macleod Dixon LLP Marjoram, K. Maxwell Realty Lethbridge Mayfield Inn, Friends in Need Nucleus Information Service Inc. Ockey, D. Opus Corporation Pengrowth Perpetual Energy Corp. Pinsent, J. Priddis Greens Golf and Country Club Red Deer Motor Dealers Assoc. River Cree Resort and Casino Ross, D. & L. Rotary Club of Calgary Olympic Servus Credit Union SF Homes Sherwood Chiropractic Centre Inc. Snyder, D.G. & M. Stevenson,T. & P. Supreme Windows (Calgary) Inc. Taylor, J. TD Canada Trust Toth, B. Tuxedo Source for Sports U.C.T. Calgary North Council United Way (Individual Donors) University of Calgary Squash Tournament Ward, C. Westminster Savings Whalen, N. Xentel DM Inc.

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Annual Report 2011

Provincial Partners

National Sponsors
Government of Canada Toyota Canada STAPLES Canada Home Hardware Wolseley Canada Canada Safeway Law Enforcement Torch Run RBC TELUS The Forzani Group Ltd. JYSK Canada The Harry Red Foster Foundation The Canadian Progress Club Rub A535 Canada Life Grey Canada The Globe and Mail Jolera TSN Veritas Communications

Board of Directors
Karen Saunders Chair (Calgary) John Pinsent Past Chair (Edmonton) Dale Ellert 1st Vice Chair (Calgary) Bill McLaren 2nd Vice Chair (Sherwood Park) James Melnyk Director of Finance (Calgary) Chris Doty Athlete Leadership (Calgary) Scott McCormack Director (Edmonton) Tom McKenzie Director (Lethbridge) Race Dixon Director (Sherwood Park) Robert Parmenter Director (Fort McMurray) Mary Payne Director (Fort McMurray) Cameron Black Youth Leadership (Red Deer)

Annual Report 2011

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Percy Page Centre 11759 Groat Road Edmonton, Alberta T5M 3K6

Phone: (780) 415-0719 Fax: (780) 422-2663 Toll Free: 1-800-444-2883 Email: info@specialolympics.ab.ca

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